Releasable clamp-on heater band

ABSTRACT

A elongate, flexible, resilient, split-sleeve resistance heater of predetermined cross-section yieldingly, releasably engageable about an elongate part of similar cross-section. Said heater including an inner flexible sheet-like resistance heater element an outer, flexible, sheet-like ground, heat sink and armor screen, longitudinally spaced split band-like forming and gripping springs, flexibly connecting means between the element, screen and a power supply cord and a thermo responsive control switch; the above elements and parts being sandwiched between and sealed within vulcanized together sheets and masses of dialectric, heat resistant silicon rubber compound to be hermetically sealed therein and electrically insulated thereby.

United States Patent Hoyt,

[54] RELEASABLE CLAMP-ON HEATER BAND [72] Inventor: Edwin D. Hoyt,Helmet, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Rama Industrial Heater Co., San Jacinto,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Apr. 26, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 137,408

[52] U.S. Cl .219/535, 219/528, 219/536, 219/544, 18/38, 219/439,219/442 [51] Int. Cl. ..H05b 3/58 [58] Field of Search; ..219/345,442,528, 529, 439, 219/535-537, 549,544,211; 138/33; 165/56;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,404,736 7/1946 Marick..219/537 2,572,695 10/1951 Briscoe et al. .....2l9/535 2,593,459 4/1952Johnson ..2l9/282 2,741,692 4/1958 Luke ..219/528 2,844,696 7/1958Custer, Jr ..219/528 X [is] 3,657,517 Apr. 18, 1972 3,084,241 4/ 1963Carrona ..219/21 1 3,178,560 4/1965 Mapp et al ..2l9/528 3,374,3383/1968 Morey ..219/537 X 3,387,333 6/1968 Irvine et al ..219/528 X3,393,297 7/1968 Hart ..2l9/535 X Primary ExaminerVolodymyr Y. MayewskyAttorney-Georges A. Maxwell 57 ABSTRACT A elongate, flexible, resilient,split-sleeve resistance heater of predetennined cross-sectionyieldingly, releasably engageable about an elongate part of similarcross-section. Said heater including an inner flexible sheet-likeresistance heater element an outer, flexible, sheet-like ground, heatsink and armor screen, longitudinally spaced split band-like forming andgripping springs, flexibly connecting means between the element, screenand a power supply cord and a thermo responsive control switch; theabove elements and parts being sandwiched between and sealed withinvulcanized together sheets and masses of dialectric, heat resistantsilicon rubber compound to be hermetically sealed therein andelectrically insulated thereby.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 RELEASABLE CLAMP-ON HEATER BAND Thisinvention has to do with an electric resistance heater and is moreparticularly concerned with a novel, resilient, flexible blanket-typeheater adopted to be releasably engaged about a bottle or like liquidcontainer to heat the liquid therein.

For the purposes of conserving of time, space, handling and generalconvenience, it is becoming an ever increasing and common practice todeposit predetermined one-shot or one-batch volumes of liquids inbottles or like containers. Such bottling of liquids permits convenientand advantageous storing, merchandising, transporting and generalhandling of the liquids, as well as for the most convenient use and/ordispensing of the liquids.

Throughout the many arts where bottled liquids are used, there is anever increasing number of circumstances and/or instances where theliquids must be heated and maintained at a predetermined temperaturewhen put to use or dispensed.

In the past, when it was required that the liquid contents of a bottlebe heated, the liquid might be placed in a pot above an electrichotplate or burner; -or the bottle, if capable of withstanding hightemperatures might be placed on the hotplate or burner. In carrying outsuch practices, a thermometer was used to determine and effect controlof the temperature of the liquid. In other situations, the bottle wasplaced in a vessel containing boiling water heated by a gas burner orelectric resistance heating element. In more recent years and in themore sophisticated cases where liquids in a bottle are to be heated,electric resistance heating elements, under controls of thermostats,have been inserted into the liquids in the containers.

In yet other cases where it is not possible to insert a heating elementinto the liquid, electric resistance heaters have been strapped orotherwise tied to the exteriors of the bottles. Such efforts have, forthe most part, been carried out by makeshift, gerry rigging which is ofquestionable effectiveness and safety.

An object of my invention is to provide an electric resistance heaterwhich is such that it engages and establishes contact with and about theexterior of a bottle or the like to effectively heat the bottle and theliquid contents thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heater of the characterreferred to which is flexible and which contains spring means whichyieldingly urge and hold the heater in heat conducting engagement withand about the bottle and which is such that the heater can be easily,quickly and conveniently manually biased or sprung for engagement withor disengagement from the bottle.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide a heater structureof the character referred to which is such that it can be easily,conveniently and economically made to engage and effectively heatbottles or like containers (and the contents thereof) of different andvarying size and shape.

An object and feature of the instant invention is to provide a heaterstructure of the character referred to which can be made to extend aboutthe exterior of a bottle or the like to any desired extent in excess of180 and which is such that the bottle can be heated throughout thecircumferential area or extent thereof engaged by the heater or at anyzone or zones of limited extent within the area engaged by the heater,as circumstances require or as desired.

Another object and feature of this invention is to provide a heaterstructure of the character referred to which is such that it can be madeto extent longitudinally throughout the entire or any desired portion ofa principle portion of the container or bottle with which it is related.For example, it can be made to engage the whole or any desired portionof the body portion or of the neck portion of a bottle.

A principle object and feature of this invention is to provide a heaterof the character referred to which is spark and shock proof whereby itcan be conveniently and safely used in and about inflamables,combustibles and conductors, such as water.

An object and feature of the present invention is to provide a heater ofthe character referred to which is hygienically clean and free of sharpand dangerous comers and the like which might cause damage and which isfree of comers, openings or the like which might collect and hold dirtor foreign matter.

The foregoing and other objects and features of my invention will befully apparent from the following detailed description of typicalpreferred fonns and embodyments of the invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing my heater applied to a bottle;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of portions of the structureprovided; and,

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a portion of my new structure withportions removed and in section.

In FIG. 1 of the drawings, I have shown a special and unique bottlestructure B and a heater A, as provided by this invention, especiallydesigned for use with and cooperatively engaged with the bottle B.

The bottle B is an especially designed bottle provided for medical use.More particularly, the bottle B is designed for use in a breathingapparatus and is used to scrub and humidify oxygen, prior to its beingbreathed by persons suffering with respiratory ailments.

When in use, the bottle B is supported by post and clamp means X in aninverted position, that is, with its reduced neck portion N disposeddownwardly.

The bottle B is established of blown or vacuum formed plastic materialand is such that it cannot be subjected to temperatures in excess of,for example, 225 F.

The bottle B, as it effects the instant invention, is unique in that itsprimary body portion P is substantially semi-circular or half round incross-section, said body portion being characterized by vertical,rounded or semi-circular front and side wall portions 10 and 11 and by aflat, vertical, rear wall portion 12 with a central, verticallyextending duct 14 projecting rearwardly therefrom.

When in use, the bottle B is filled with sterile distilled water throughwhich oxygen is bubbled. So as to assure proper humidifying of theoxygen and so as to wann the oxygen so that it is comfortable tobreathe, the water must be warmed and not let to become cooled orchilled below, for example, F. (a temperature well above normal roomtemperatures of between 70 F. and 75 F.).

The heater A is an electric resistance heater structure and is such thatit engages uniformly and snuggly about the body portion P of the bottleB to heat that portion of the bottle and the liquid contents thereof tothe desired temperature and to subsequently maintain the body and theliquid at said temperature.

It is to be noted that as oxygen is released from a compressed state andbubbled upwardly through the water, it tends to cool and chill thewater. Further, as the rate of flow of oxygen is increased or decreased,to meet the demands of the patient, the rate of cooling effected by theoxygen is increased or decreased.

As a result of the above, the demand on the heater is not constant, butis subject to considerable variation.

The heater A must be hygienically clean, easy, quick and convenient touse and must be shock and spark proof, as the apparatus with which it isrelated is a medical apparatus, must frequently be set up rapidly tomeet emergencies and is used in the presence of oxygen.

The heater A, in the form of the invention illustrated, is a split,vertical sleeve-like unit corresponding substantially in insidecross-sectional configuration with the outside configuration of the bodyportion I of the bottle B and of sufficient vertical extent to engageabout a substantial and predetermined extent of said body portion of thebottle.

To the above extent, the heater A has circular front and side wallportions 20 and 21, flat rear wall portions 22, defining an outersurface 23, an inner surface 24 to oppose the outer surface of the bodyportion of the bottle B, horizontal top and bottom edges 25 and 26 andvertical end edges 27 defined by the split. The split in the sleeve-likestructure occurs at the rear of the bottle and so that the vertical endedges 27 occur at the opposite sides of and oppose the vertical ductprojection on the rear wall of the bottle.

The heater A is, basically, a flexible, resilient unit adapted tonormally snuggly embrace the bottle as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of thedrawings and such that it can be easily and conveniently flex to an openposition, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 of the drawings, tofacilitate its being engaged with or removed from engagement with thebottle.

The heater is a laminate structure, made up of inner, central and outerlaminations of soft flexible rubber or rubber impregnated and coatedfabric sheets 30, 31 and 32, a flat, flexible, planar or sheet-likeresistor element R between the inner and intermediate sheets 30 and 31,an armor, heat sink and ground screen G between the intermediate andouter sheets 31 and 32, spring means S between said intermediate andouter sheets, power supply and connecting means M for the resistor R andthermostatic control means T.

The several laminate sheets 30, 31 and 32 are alike and each isestablished of a thin, flat, rectangular sheet of heat resistantsilicone rubber. In the preferred carrying out of the invention, eachsheet 30, 31 and 32 has a woven, fiber glass fabric core C which permitsfor flexing and bending of the sheet, but which prevents stretching andundesired planar distorting of the sheet.

In practice, the sheets are bonded and vulcanized together, with theresistor R, screen G, the springs therebetween. The resistor, screen andsprings cooperate to effect the same reinforcing as do the cores C, withthe result that the cores C in the laminate sheets are not absolutelynecessary.

In FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings, I elected not to show the cores C inthe laminate sheets, as illustration thereof tends to unduely complicateand obscure the invention sought to be shown.

The resistor R can take any one of several forms; that is, it can beestablished of one or more lengths of fine nickel alloy wire arranged ina planar sinuate pattern between the opposing services surfaces of theinner and intermediate laminates 30 and 31 and connected with upper andlower, flexible ribbon-like conductor busses arranged between saidlaminates or, if desired, it can be established by thin, flexibleresistor ribbons between said laminates and extending between conductorbusses.

In the preferred carrying out of the invention and as illustrated in thedrawings, the resistor R is established of a flat, rectangular sheet ofthin, flexible woven fabric which is impregnated and coated with aresistive material, such as that resistor fabric produced by l. E. DuPont Company and sold under the trade name Pyralin.

The Pyralin resistor sheet has horizontal top and bottom edges 40 and 41which are suitably connected with thin, elongate, flexible, horizontalribbon-like upper and lower conductor busses 42 and 43. The busses 42and 43 are established of thin copper ribbons which are bonded to theresistor by an electrically conductive pressure adhesive. In practice,and as illustrated, the ribbon stock establishing the busses 42 and 43is sufficiently wide so that it can and is folded over the edges of theresistor to embrace said edges and such that parting or separating ofcontact between the busses and the resistor, at any point longitudinallyof the busses and as might otherwise occur when the structure is flexed,is prevented.

In practice, the resistor R can be substantially coextensive with theextent of the split heating sleeve, with its edges as near or close asone-eighth inch from the related edges of the sleeve structure, or canbe of any desired lesser extent, within the confined of the edges of thesleeve structure.

The spring means S that I provide includes one or more elongate,horizontally extending leaf springs formed to correspond to the normalcross-section of the heater and arranged in flat bearing engagementbetween and with .the opposing surfaces of the intermediate and outerlaminate sheets 31 and 32.

In the case illustrated, I provide two vertically spaced springs 50 and51, which springs are arranged to occur outward of the busses 42 and 43and so they serve to back up the busses and prevent excessive bending,twisting and biasing of said busses and, so that when the structure isin use and engaged about the bottle, the springs exert pressure on thebusses and urge the busses into positive contact with their related edgeportions of the resistor R. g

The springs 50 and 51 are of such longitudinal extent and are soarranged between the laminates 31 and 32 so that they are spaced aneffective and safe distance inward from the horizontal and verticaledges of the heater related thereto and are not subject to creatingdanger or hazard.

The armor, heat sink and ground screen G is a thin, flat, flexible,rectangular sheet of copper or brass wire fabric or screen and isarranged between the opposing surfaces of the laminates 31 and 32 andbetween the opposing edges of the upper and lower springs 50 and 51.

The screen G, like the springs S, is maintained in insulatedrelationship from the resistor R and busses 42 and 43 by the thin,intermediate laminate 31.

When the heater is in operation, the screen G serves as a heat sink anddistributing means. It also serves as armor and prevents the heaterstructure from being penetrated by inpingement of a foreign object, fromits outer surface, when it is in use and is such that if the heater isso penetrated and the resistor is contacted, the screen (which isgrounded, as will hereinafter be described) effectively grounds thestructure and prevents exposed sparks and/or shock to persons andequipment in contact therewith.

The power supply means M to connect the resistor R with a power sourcecomprises a pair of spaced openings in the intermediate laminate 31, apair of openings in the laminate 32 registering with the openings in thelaminate 31 and screen G. The spaced of registering openings cooperateto establish lead openings 60 and 61 entering the outer surface 20 ofthe structure and extending to the inner surface of the intermediatelaminate 31, adjacent the outer surface of the resistor R.

The means M next includes thin, flexible, elongate conductors 62 and 63,the outer ends fixed to the buss conductors 42 and 43 and extending toand having free end accessible at the inner ends of the openings 60 and61. The conductors 62 and 63 extend from their related busses to theirrelated openings between the opposing surfaces of the resistor R andlaminate 31 and are insulated from the resistor by a strip of insulatingmaterial 64 arranged therebetween.

The conductors 62 and 63 are preferably established of thin, flexiblecopper ribbon stock and the outer ends are preferably engaged betweenthe resistor R and the conductor busses 40 and 43, as shown.

The openings can be positioned at any desired location throughout theextent of the heater and are shown located in the central front portionthereof.

In addition to the above, the outer laminate 32 is provided with a thirdlead opening 65 spaced from (between) the openings 60 and 61 to provideaccess to the screen G.

The heater is provided with a rubber jacketed power supply cord Y. Thecord Y has two insulated, power lines 66 and 67 and one, insulated,ground line 68. The cord Y has an inner end which terminates at theforward central portion of the heater adjacent the openings 60, 61 and65. The lines 66 and 67 extend from said inner end of the cord, throughthe openings 60 and 61 and are connected with the free ends of theconductors, as by soldering. The line 68 extends from the inner end ofthe cord, through the opening 65 and is connect with the screen G, as bysoldering.

The thermostatic control means T consists of a standard, capsulizedbi-metallic, normally closed thermostatic switch 70 engaged in series inone of the power. lines, for example, the line 66. The thermostaticswitch 70 is encapsulized in a copper jacket and is preferably arrangedin heat conducting engagement with outer surface 24 of the heater, inclose proximity to the openings 60, 61 and 65.

.The switch 70 is preset to open when the unit reaches a predeterminedtemperature.

The inner end portion of the cord Y, the switch 70 and the lines 66, 67and 68 are embedded in, covered and protected by a block-like body ofrubber 71 which is best termed a terminal block, projecting from theouter central portion of the heater unit. The material of the terminalblock or a compatible material can be flowed into the openings 60, 61and 65 and vulcanized with and about all of the parts and portions ofthe structure which it contacts.

The other, outer or free end of the cord Y is provided with a suitableconnector plug to engage with a power receptacle, in accordance withcommon practice.

All of the rubber elements, parts and/or portions of the structureprovided are vulcanized together, with and into all of the otherelements and parts of the construction whereby the heater constructionis an integrated, unitary, sealed structure.

With the heater construction described above, it will be apparent that aflexible, resilient heater unit, which is rugged, durable and safe touse can be provided. It will be further apparent that with theconstruction that I provide, a sleeve-like heater unit can be made in amultitude of different sizes and cross-sections to cooperatively,releasably engage and embrace a nearly infinite number of differentlyconfigured structures which are required to be heated.

It is important to note that with the structure here provided, theSpring means holds the part or structure to be heated with sufficientforce so that no other fastening or tying means need be provided andmanipulated to effect secure engagement of the unit with or removal ofthe unit from a related structure and that engagement or removal of theunit can be easily, conveniently and quickly effected without theexercise of any special skills.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, 1 do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself anymodifications and/or variations that may appear to those skilled in theart to which this invention pertains.

HAVING DESCRIBED MY INVENTION, I CLAIM:

1. An elongate, flexible, resilient, split-sleeve resistance heaterstructure of predetermined cross-section yieldingly releasably engagableabout an elongate part of similar crosssection, comprising: a partengaging, flexible, inner laminate sheet, a flexible, intermediatelaminate sheet, adjacent the inner laminate sheet, a flexible,sheet-like resistance heat element in flat engagement between the innerand intermediate laminate sheets, a flexible, outer laminate sheetadjacent the intermediate laminate sheet, springs corresponding inconfiguration with the cross-section of the heater arranged inlongitudinal spaced relationship between the intermediate and outerlaminate sheets, a flexible metal ground sheet between the intermediateand outer laminate sheets and power supply means comprising a servicecord accessible at the exterior of the heater and having a pair of powerlines and a ground line, connecting means connecting the power lines tothe heater element and the ground line to the ground sheet, saidlaminate sheets being established of dialectric material and bonded toeach other and to the heater element, springs and ground sheettherebetween said heater element has spaced end portions, and saidconnecting means includes axially aligned series of power access openingin the intermediate, outer ground sheets for the power lines, anelongate flexible conductor strip extending from each end portion of theheater element, between said element and the intermediate laminate sheetto its related power access openings, insulating strips between theheater element and the conductor strips and a ground opening in saidouter laminate sheet, each of said power lines extendin through itsrelated power access openings and connec d with the conductor striprelated thereto, said ground line extending through said ground openingand connected with said ground sheet, said openings are filled and saidlines are encased in a dialectric material bonded with the structurerelated thereto.

2. A heater structure as set forth in claim 1 which further includes anormally closed thermo responsive switch in control relationship withthe power supply means and in heat conducting relationship with theheater structure.

3. A heater structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the end portionsof said heater element define spaced end edges, and the structurefurther includes flexible conductor busses engaged with and extendinglongitudinally of said edges, the flexible conductor strip related toeach end of the heater is connected with the conductor bus at itsrelated end of the heater element.

4. A heater structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the conductorbusses are arranged inward of and extend parallel with said springs.

5. A heater structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the ground sheetis established of woven wire screen and serves as a heat sink and armorprotection for the heater element.

6. A heater structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the conductorbusses are arranged inward of and extend parallel with said springs,said ground sheet is established of woven wire screen and serves as aheat sink and armor protection for the heater element.

7. A heater structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the end portionsof said heater element define spaced end edges, flexible conductorbusses engaged with and extending longitudinally of said edges, saidconductor strips being connected with the conductor busses, saidstructure further including a normally closed thermo responsive switchin control relationship with the power supply means and in heatconducting relationship with the heater structure.

8. A structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein the conductor busses arearranged inward of and extend parallel with said springs, said groundsheet is established of woven wire screen and serves as a heat sink andarmor protection for the heater element.

9. A heater structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein the laminatesheets are established of a rubber compound and are vulcanized togetherand with the heater element, springs and ground sheet.

1. An elongate, flexible, resilient, split-sleeve resistance heaterstructure of predetermined cross-section yieldingly releasably engagableabout an elongate part of similar crosssection, comprising: a partengaging, flexible, inner laminate sheet, a flexible, intermediatelaminate sheet, adjacent the inner laminate sheet, a flexible,sheet-like resistance heat element in flat engagement between the innerand intermediate laminate sheets, a flexible, outer laminate sheetadjacent the intermediate laminate sheet, springs corresponding inconfiguration with the cross-section of the heater arranged inlongitudinal spaced relationship between the intermediate and outerlaminate sheets, a flexible metal ground sheet between the intermediateand outer laminate sheets and power supply means comprising a servicecord accessible at the exterior of the heater and having a pair of powerlines and a ground line, connecting means connecting the power lines tothe heater element and the ground line to the ground sheet, saidlaminate sheets being established of dialectric material and bonded toeach other and to the heater element, springs and ground sheettherebetween said heater element has spaced end portions, and saidconnecting means includes axially aligned series of power accessopenings in the intermediate, outer ground sheets for the power lines,an elongate flexible conductor strip extending from each end portion ofthe heater element, between said element and the intermediate laminatesheet to its related power access openings, insulating strips betweenthe heater element and the conductor strips and a ground opening in saidouter laminate sheet, each of said power lines extending through itsrelated power access openings and connected with the conductor striprelated thereto, said ground line extending through said ground openingand connected with said ground sheet, said openings are filled and saidlines are encased in a dialectric material bonded with the structurerelated thereto.
 2. A heater structure as set forth in claim 1 whichfurther includes a normally closed thermo responsive switch in controlrelationship with the power supply means and in heat conductingrelationship with the heater structure.
 3. A heater structure as setforth in claim 1 wherein the end portions of said heater element definespaced end edges, and the structure further includes flexible conductorbusses engaged with and extending longitudinally of said edges, theflexible conductor strip related to each end of the heater is connectedwith the conductor bus at its related end of the heater element.
 4. Aheater structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the conductor bussesare arranged inward of and extend parallel with said springs.
 5. Aheater structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein the ground sheet isestablished of woven wire screen and serves as a heat sink and armorprotection for the heater element.
 6. A heater structure as set forth inclaim 3 wherein the conductor busses are arranged inward of and extendparallel with said springs, said ground sheet is established of wovenwire screen and serves as a heat sink and armor protection for theheater element.
 7. A heater structurE as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe end portions of said heater element define spaced end edges,flexible conductor busses engaged with and extending longitudinally ofsaid edges, said conductor strips being connected with the conductorbusses, said structure further including a normally closed thermoresponsive switch in control relationship with the power supply meansand in heat conducting relationship with the heater structure.
 8. Astructure as set forth in claim 7, wherein the conductor busses arearranged inward of and extend parallel with said springs, said groundsheet is established of woven wire screen and serves as a heat sink andarmor protection for the heater element.
 9. A heater structure as setforth in claim 8 wherein the laminate sheets are established of a rubbercompound and are vulcanized together and with the heater element,springs and ground sheet.